Tissue Stop for Surgical Instrument

ABSTRACT

A surgical including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a stop member is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The stop member is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and is pivotable with respect to the first jaw member between a first position, a significant portion of the stop member being positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second position capturing the tissue between the first jaw member and second jaw member.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to surgical instruments and,more specifically, to surgical instruments for surgically joiningtissue.

2. Background of Related Art

Surgical stapling instruments used for applying parallel rows of staplesthrough compressed living tissue are well known in the art. Thesesurgical instruments are commonly employed for closing tissue or organsprior to transaction or resection, for occluding organs in thoracic andabdominal procedures, and for fastening tissue in anastomoses.

Typically, such surgical stapling instruments include an anvil assembly,a cartridge assembly for supporting an array of surgical staples, anapproximation mechanism for approximating the anvil and cartridge andanvil assemblies, and a firing mechanism for ejecting the surgicalstaples from the cartridge assembly.

In use, a surgeon generally initially approximates the anvil andcartridge members. Next, the surgeon can fire the instrument to placestaples in tissue. Additionally, the surgeon may use the same instrumentor a separate instrument to cut the tissue adjacent or between therow(s) of staples. Alternatively, the surgical stapling instrument cansequentially eject the staples while the anvil and cartridge areapproximated.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a surgical instrument for surgicallyjoining tissue. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, anelongated portion, an end effector, and a stop member. The elongatedportion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector isdisposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includesa first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member ismovable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced andapproximated positions. The stop member is disposed adjacent a distalportion of the first jaw member and is pivotable with respect to thefirst jaw member between a first position, a significant portion of thestop member being positioned external to the first jaw member and asecond position capturing the tissue between the first and second jawmember.

In various embodiments, the cartridge is curved with respect to thelongitudinal axis.

The surgical instrument may further include a biasing member disposed inmechanical cooperation with the stop member, wherein the biasing memberbiases stop member towards its first position.

In certain embodiments, the stop member includes a base and a stoppingportion, the base being operatively connected to the stopping portion.In some embodiments, the stopping portion is pivotally connected to thebase. Alternatively, the stop member may be pivotally coupled to thefirst jaw member.

The first jaw member may include a knife channel. The stop member mayfurther include a first leg and a second leg positioned on oppositesides of the knife channel.

The surgical instrument may additionally include first and second slotsdisposed on the first jaw member. Each of the first and second slots areadapted to receive at least a portion of one of the first and secondlegs therein. In some embodiments, each of the first and second legs isconfigured to move at least partially through the first or second slotwhen the stop member moves towards its second position.

In addition, the present disclosure relates to a tool assembly for usewith a surgical instrument. Generally, this tool assembly includes anend effector and a stop member. The end effector has a first jaw memberand a second jaw member. At least one jaw member being movable withrespect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximatedpositions. The stop member is disposed adjacent a distal portion of thefirst jaw member and is pivotable with respect to the first jaw memberbetween a first position wherein at least a portion of the stop memberis positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second positioncapturing the tissue between the first jaw member and the second jawmember, wherein at least a portion of the stop member is positioned atleast partially below a tissue-contacting surface of the first jawmember, wherein the relative movement of the jaw members toward theapproximated position causes at least a portion of the stop member tomove toward the first jaw member.

In some embodiments, the end effector includes a longitudinallycurvilinear shape. Further, in certain embodiments, the stop member isbiased toward the first position. The first jaw member may include atleast one slot formed therein. This slot is configured to receive atleast a portion of the stop member.

The present disclosure also relates to a stop member configured for usewith a surgical instrument. The stop member includes a base portionconfigured to mechanically engage a jaw member of a surgical instrument,and a stopping portion. The stopping portion is pivotably engaged withthe base portion and is movable between a first position and a secondposition. In the first position, the stopping portion is configured tofacilitate tissue being moved proximally with respect to the stoppingportion. In the second position, the stopping portion is configured toinhibit tissue from translating distally past the stopping portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical instrument aredisclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the surgical instrumentof the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2-4 are perspective views of a portion of the surgical instrumentof FIG. 1, showing a stop member in a first position;

FIGS. 5-7 are side views of an end effector of the surgical instrumentof FIG. 1, shown at different stages of operation;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 1, showing a stop member adjacent its second position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a curved jaw member according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, showing a stop member in a firstposition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of the curved jaw member of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the curved jaw member of FIG. 9,showing the cross-section of a distal portion taken along section line11-11 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the curved jaw member of FIG. 9,showing the stop member in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical instrument are describedin detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like referencenumerals designate similar or identical elements in each of the severalviews. In the drawings and the description that follows, the term“proximal” refers to the end of the surgical instrument that is closestto the operator, whereas the term “distal” refers to the end of thesurgical instrument that is farthest from the operator. As appreciatedby one skilled in the art, the depicted surgical instrument firesstaples, but it may be adapted to fire any other suitable fastener suchas clips and two-part fasteners. Additionally, the disclosed stop membermay be used with an electrosurgical forceps. Further details ofelectrosurgical forceps are described in commonly-owned patentapplication Ser. No. 10/369,894, filed on Feb. 20, 2003, entitled VESSELSEALER AND DIVIDER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

With reference to FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 designates an embodimentof the presently disclosed surgical instrument. In the interest ofbrevity, the present disclosure focuses on an end effector and a stopmember of surgical instrument 100. U.S. Patent Applications PublicationNos. 2008/0105730, filed on Nov. 28, 2007; 2008/0110960, flied on Jan.8, 2008; 2008/0142565, filed on Jan. 24, 2008; 2008/0041916, filed onOct. 15, 2007 and U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. Nos.61/050,273, filed on May 5, 2008 and 11/786,198, filed on Apr. 10, 2007describe in detail the structure and operation of other surgicalfastening assemblies. The entire contents of these prior applicationsare incorporated herein by reference. Any of the surgical fasteningassemblies disclosed in the cited patent applications may include thepresently disclosed stop member.

Surgical instrument 100 is configured to clamp, fasten, and/or cuttissue. In general, surgical instrument 100 includes a handle assembly160, an elongate portion 120 extending distally from handle assembly 160and defining a longitudinal axis “A-A,” and a tool assembly 150 adaptedto clamp and fasten tissue. Elongate portion 120 has a proximal portion122 and a distal portion 124 and operatively couples handle assembly 160with tool assembly 150. Tool assembly 150 includes end effector 154 andstop member 170. End effector 154, which is disposed adjacent distalportion 124 of elongated portion 120, includes a first jaw member 130and a second jaw member 140. At least one of the jaw members 130, 140 isadapted to move relative to the other jaw member (130 or 140) betweenspaced and approximated positions. In the illustrated embodiment, firstjaw member 130 contains a cartridge assembly 132, while second jawmember 140 includes an anvil assembly 142. As discussed below, anvilassembly 142 moves with respect to cartridge assembly 132 between spacedand approximated positions upon actuation of handle assembly 160, forexample. However, it is also envisioned that other methods ofapproximating the jaw members are also usable, including sliding a clampbar 168.

Handle assembly 160 includes a stationary handle 162 and a movablehandle 164. Movable handle 164 is adapted to move pivotally toward oraway from stationary handle 162. Further, movable handle 164 isoperatively connected to anvil assembly 140 through a mechanism adaptedto convert at least a partial actuation of movable handle 164 into apivoting motion of at least one of cartridge assembly 132 and anvilassembly 142 between spaced and approximated positions. As recognized byone skilled in the art, any conventional actuation mechanism may beemployed to operatively couple movable handle 164 to tool assembly 150.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, cartridge assembly 132 has atissue-contacting surface 134 and a plurality of fastener retainingslots 136. Tissue-contacting surface 134 generally faces anvil assembly142 (see FIG. 1) and, during operation, engages tissue when the anvilassembly 142 is approximated with cartridge assembly 132. Fastenerretaining slots 136 are arranged in rows along tissue contacting surface134. Each fastener retaining slot 136 is adapted to hold a fastener (notshown) until a user actuates handle assembly 160 (see FIG. 1), forexample. When movable handle 164 is pivoted toward stationary handle162, the fasteners are ejected from fastener retaining slots 134 andmove toward anvil assembly 142.

In addition to fastener retaining slots 134, cartridge assembly 132 hasa knife channel 138 adapted to slidably receive a knife (not shown) orany other suitable cutting tool. Knife channel 138 is disposed betweenrows of fastener retaining slots 136 and extends along tissue-contactingsurface 134. In operation, a knife (not shown) slides through knifechannel 138 when movable handle 164 pivots toward stationary handle 162.Alternatively, other mechanisms can be used to drive the knife throughknife channel 138. In addition to knife channel 138, cartridge assembly132 has a pair of slots 139 formed on tissue-contacting surface 134.Each slot 139 provides access to an inner portion of cartridge assembly132 and is configured to receive portions of stop member 170.

In disclosed embodiments, handle assembly 160 contains an actuationmechanism for deploying the fasteners from fastener retaining slots 136and advancing a knife along knife channel 138. This actuation mechanismincludes a firing rod operatively connected to movable handle 164. Inoperation, pivoting movable handle 164 toward stationary handle 162causes firing rod to advance distally. Firing rod is in turn operativelycoupled to an axial drive assembly at least partially positioned withintool assembly 150. Axial drive assembly is configured to move distallyin response to a distal translation of firing rod. The distaltranslation of axial drive assembly causes second jaw member 140 topivot toward first jaw member 130. In addition, the axial drive assemblypushes an actuation sled disposed within first jaw member 130 in adistal direction, while the actuation sled translates distally throughend effector 154. As the actuation sled advances distally through firstjaw member 130, this actuation sled urges the fasteners out of thefastener retaining slots 136. In one embodiment, axial drive assemblyincludes a blade mounted on a distal portion thereof. In operation, thisknife moves through knife channel 138 when axial drive assembly movesdistally through end effector 154.

Stop member 170 is disposed adjacent a distal portion 137 of first jawmember 130 (which is shown as cartridge assembly 132, but may also beanvil assembly 142). The stop member 170 is pivotable with respect tothe first jaw member 130 between a first position, as illustrated inFIG. 5, and a second position, as depicted in FIG. 7. In the firstposition, at least a portion of stop member 170 is located external tothe first jaw member 130, whereas, in the second position, at least aportion of stop member 170 is positioned at least partially belowtissue-contacting surface 134 of first jaw member 130. In variousembodiments, a significant portion of stop member 170 is disposedexternal to the first jaw member 130 when stop member 170 is located inthe first position. It is envisioned that the term “significant” meansthat at least half of each leg 177 of stop portion 170 is disposedexternal to the first jaw member 130 when stop member 170 is located inthe first position. Additionally, as used herein, “significant” may meanthat more than one-third of stop member 170 is disposed external to thefirst jaw member 130 when stop member 170 is located in the firstposition

Stop member 170 includes a base 172 adapted to engage an outer surfaceof distal portion 137 of first jaw member 130 and a stopping portion 174adapted to engage tissue. A pivot pin 176, or any other suitableapparatus, pivotally connects stopping portion 174 to base 172.Consequently, stopping portion 174 is configured to pivot away andtoward tissue-contacting surface 134. In one embodiment, stop member 170includes a biasing member (e.g., a spring) for biasing stopping portion174 away from first jaw member 130.

Stopping portion 174 contains a body 175 and at least one leg 177extending proximally from body 175. In the embodiment depicted in FIG.2, stopping portion 174 has two legs 177 extending proximally from body175. Stopping portion 174 may nonetheless include more or fewer legs177. The two legs 177 shown in FIG. 2 define a space therebetweenadapted to receive a knife. Each leg 177 is dimensioned to be receivedwithin a slot 139 and includes a proximal surface 173. When stop member170 is located in the first position, each proximal surface 173 definesan oblique angle relative to tissue-contacting surface 134, as seen inFIG. 5. Conversely, when stop member 170 is located in the secondposition (see FIG. 7), each proximal surface 173 defines an anglesubstantially perpendicular to tissue-contacting surface 134.Irrespective of the position of stop member 170, legs 177 are shownpositioned on opposite sides of knife channel 138. Slots 139, which aredimensioned to receive legs 177, are accordingly located on oppositesides of knife channel 138 as well.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, stop member 170 facilitates retention of tissuebetween first and second jaw members 130, 140 during the operation ofsurgical instrument 100. (See FIG. 1). That is, stop member 170 helpsprevent tissue from migrating or translating distally past its intendedplacement between the jaw members. In use, a user initially positionssurgical instrument 100 adjacent a target tissue. Particularly, thetarget tissue is placed between first and second jaw members 130, 140.The angle defined by body 175 relative to tissue-contacting surface 136facilitates introduction of the target tissue “T” into tool assembly 150in the general direction of arrow “A,” as seen in FIG. 6. Once the userhas placed at least a portion of the target tissue between first andsecond jaw members 130, 140, the user pulls movable handle 164 towardstationary handle 162 to approximate anvil assembly 152 toward cartridgeassembly 132. While the user pulls movable handle 164, anvil assembly152 moves closer to cartridge assembly 132 and the target tissue “T” iscaptured between tissue-contacting surface 134 of cartridge assembly132. At the same time, anvil assembly 142 urges stopping portion 174toward cartridge assembly 132. In response to the force exerted by theanvil assembly 142 on stopping portion 174, stopping portion 174 pivotsabout pivot pin 176 toward cartridge assembly 132, e.g., against thebias of biasing member (not shown). While stopping portion 174 movescloser to cartridge assembly 134, at least a portion of legs 177 move toan inner portion of cartridge assembly 132 through slots 139, as seen inFIG. 7. When stop member 170 is in the second position (as shown in FIG.7), a portion of legs 177 is located within cartridge assembly 132;correspondingly, a portion of proximal surfaces 173 is located outsideof cartridge assembly 132. As discussed above, proximal surfaces 173define a substantially orthogonal angle relative to tissue-contactingsurface 134 when stop member 170 is in the second position, therebyhindering the escape of tissue during clamping.

The present disclosure also contemplate stop member 170 being releasablyattachable to end effector 150 via conventional mechanical means, e.g.,bayonet coupling, latch, detent or snap-fit connection.

With reference to FIGS. 9-12, another embodiment of first jaw member 230is envisioned. First jaw member 230 of this embodiment has a curvedshape (i.e., with respect to longitudinal axis “A-A”). It is envisionedthat curved jaw members may facilitate performing certain types ofsurgical procedures. For example, curved jaw members, as compared tostraight jaw members (such as the jaw members illustrated in FIG. 1),may help facilitate access to lower pelvic regions, e.g., during loweranterior resection (“LAR”) or other colo-rectal surgery.

First jaw member 230 includes an opening 239 (FIG. 10) adapted toreceive both legs 277 of stop portion 270 instead of two slots 139 eachcapable of receiving a leg 177 of stop member 170. Stop member 270 issimilar to stop member 170. However, stop member 270 has a stoppingportion 274 directly connected to a distal portion 237 of first jawmember 230. Distal portion 237 contains a hole 235 (FIG. 10) adapted toreceive a pivot pin 276. Pivot pin 276, or any other suitable apparatus,pivotally couples stop member 270 to first jaw member 230.

In general, first jaw member 230 includes a curved housing 231 and acurved cartridge assembly 232. Housing 231 has a curved channel 233adapted to receive curved cartridge assembly 232. Curved cartridgeassembly 232 contains a tissue-contacting surface 234 configured toengage tissue, rows of fastener retaining slots 236 extending along itscurved profile, and a knife channel 238 adapted to slidably receive aknife (not shown). Knife channel 238 is disposed between the rows offastener retaining slots 236.

As discussed above, actuating handle assembly 160 not only ejects thefasteners, but also drives a knife along knife channel 238 (e.g., via asingle stroke or multiple strokes of movable handle 164). Knife channel238 leads to an opening 239 formed on distal portion 237 of cartridgeassembly 232. A recess 280 is positioned distally of opening 239 andincludes an inclined wall 282 (see FIG. 11) defining an oblique anglerelative to tissue-contacting surface 234 and is adapted to receive aportion of stop member 270 therein. In addition to inclined wall 282,recess 280 has a cavity 284 adapted to receive a portion of stop member270.

Stop member 270 includes a body 275, a pair of legs extending proximallyfrom body 275, and a pivoting protrusion 286 extending transversely frombody 275. Legs 277 define a space therebetween dimensioned to receive aknife. Each leg 277 has a proximal surface 273 that defines an obliqueangle relative to tissue-contacting surface 234 when stop portion 270 isin the first position, as shown in FIG. 9, and a substantiallyperpendicular angle relative to tissue-contacting surface 234 when stopportion 270 is in the second position, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

Body 275 defines an oblique angle with respect to the tissue-contactingsurface 234. Pivoting protrusion 286 of stop member 270 is adapted to bereceived within cavity 284 and has a hole 288 configured to receivepivot pin 276. Pivot pin 276 extends through hole 235 of cartridgeassembly 270 and hole 280 of pivoting protrusion 286 and allows stopmember 270 to pivot from a first position where at least a portion ofthe stop member 270 is positioned external to first jaw member 230, asseen in FIG. 9, and a second position where at least a portion of stopmember 270 is positioned at least partially below a tissue-contactingsurface 234 of the first jaw member 230, as seen in FIG. 12.

As seen in FIG. 11, body 276 additionally contains a thru-hole 290leading to inclined wall 282 and an abutment wall 292 protruding towardthru-hole 290. Abutment wall 292 is configured to hold a first end 294 aof a biasing member 294, and inclined wall 282 is adapted to support asecond end 294 b of biasing member 294. Biasing member 294 biases stopmember 270 towards its first position. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 10 and 11, biasing member 294 is a spring, but biasing member 294can alternatively be any suitable apparatus or means capable of biasingstop member 270 away from first jaw member 230.

The operation of first jaw member 230 is substantially similar to theoperation of first jaw member 130. First jaw member 230 works jointlywith an anvil assembly to cut and/or fasten tissue. As a user actuateshandle assembly 160, the jaw members approximate, which urges stopmember 230 from the first position (see FIG. 9) to a second position(see FIG. 12). In the first position, the orientation of stop member 230facilitates the introduction of tissue between first jaw member 230 andan anvil assembly. Further, stop member 230 inhibits tissue fromdistally escaping the tool assembly when stop member 230 is oriented inits second position. When the anvil assembly moves away from first jawmember 230, stop member 230, under the influence of biasing member 294,returns to its first position.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments of the presently disclosed surgical instruments. Therefore,the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envisionother modifications within the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A surgical instrument for surgically joiningtissue, the surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly; anelongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly anddefining a longitudinal axis; an end effector disposed adjacent a distalportion of the elongated portion, the end effector including a first jawmember and a second jaw member, at least one jaw member being movablewith respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximatedpositions, the first jaw member having a tissue contacting surface andthe second jaw member having a tissue contacting surface; a stop memberdisposed between the first jaw member and the second jaw member andextending generally in a proximal direction, the stop member beingpivotable with respect to the first jaw member between a first positionand a second position, the stop member having a proximally-facingsurface for engaging tissue.
 17. The surgical instrument of claim 16,wherein the stop member is pivotably attached to the first jaw member.18. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the first jaw member isa cartridge assembly.
 19. The surgical instrument of claim 17, whereinthe first jaw member is an anvil assembly.
 20. The surgical instrumentof claim 16, wherein the first jaw member and the second jaw member arecurved.
 21. The surgical instrument of claim 16, further comprising abiasing member arranged to bias the stop member towards its firstposition.
 22. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the first jawmember includes a knife channel.
 23. The surgical instrument of claim22, wherein the stop member defines a space aligned with the knifechannel.
 24. The surgical instrument of claim 23, further comprising aknife arranged to translate through the knife channel, the space of thestop member being disposed to receive the knife.
 25. The surgicalinstrument of claim 24, wherein the stop member has a first leg and asecond leg, the space being defined between the first leg and the secondleg.
 26. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein theproximally-facing surface defines an oblique angle with the tissuecontacting surface of the first jaw member when the stop member isdisposed in the first position.
 27. The surgical instrument of claim 16,wherein the proximally-facing surface defines a substantiallyperpendicular angle with the tissue contacting surface of the first jawmember when the stop member is disposed in the second position.
 28. Thesurgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the stop member pivots towardthe second position when the second jaw member moves with respect to thefirst jaw member toward the approximated position.
 29. The surgicalinstrument of claim 17, wherein the first jaw member defines a recessfor receiving the stop member when the stop member pivots to the secondposition.
 30. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the stopmember extends substantially across the space between the tissuecontacting surface of the first jaw member and the tissue contactingsurface of the second jaw member when the first jaw member and thesecond jaw member are in the spaced position.